A method of determining an actual gradient impulse response function during execution of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy sequence, wherein a main magnetic field is generated in a sample region of an MR apparatus by means of a main magnet and wherein superimposed time dependent gradient fields and radiofrequency fields in a first RF band are generated in the sample region according to a first MR sequence for forming images or spectra, the gradient fields being generated by gradient forming means of the MR apparatus operated according to a gradient forming sequence part of said first MR sequence, the MR apparatus further comprising at least one magnetic field probe. The method comprises the steps of: —operating said at least one magnetic field probe according to a second sequence, whereby a time dependent probe signal is repeatedly acquired from each magnetic field probe during a probe acquisition time window, thus providing at least one time dependent probe signal; —obtaining said actual gradient impulse response function by calculating an impulse response function from said at least one time dependent probe signal and from said gradient forming sequence part.